So, African Zionists Resent “insults” by Israel Diplomats

Consternation was caused here at a celebration sponsored by the Histadrut Ivrit to mark the first anniversary of the establishment of the local Hebrew monthly “Dapim” when Israel Minister E.D. Gotein and special Israeli representative Yaacov Orland attacked South African Zionist for their attitude toward Hebrew.

Mr. Gotein said: “There is a great deal of talk about Hebrew education in this country, but that is its true position among the children? Instead of a love for Hebrew I found a hostility — hostility to the language and to Yiddishkeit. You do not serious matter that the children should learn Hebrew. When Zionism touches neither the pocket nor the heart there is no hope of exerting influence on the children to learn Hebrew.”

S.M. Kuper, chairman of the South African Zionist Federation, and Chief Rabbi L.I. Rabinowitz both felt Mr. Gotein’s criticism was unjustified, and said that much has been done in recent years to promote the increasing knowledge of Hebrew among the younger generation.

Mr. Orland caused further resentment when he declared that he felt that the Jewish spirit in South Africa was not “going up” in the direction of immigration to Israel, but “going down,” He added: “I have a feeling that here Zionism is merely a game.”

Mr. Shai, who recently returned from a mission in Hungary and other Eastern European countries, said that many “useful elements” were included among those registered, such as skilled laborers, engineers, architects and physicians.